engleski

De-regulation of the postal market of EU and its influence on the postal market of Croatia

The end of 20th and the beginning of 21st century was marked by the unification of the European countries and investment of significant efforts in creation of the unique rules of market competition in all segments of the economic activity. Such tendency could not avoid the market of the postal services. Liberalization and de-regulation are basic notions for all activities on the postal market of the EU member countries, as well as the countries that aspire to the EU membership. De-regulation and liberalization of the postal market is extremely complex task for all involved parties. Traditional connection of the postal service with the State, i.e. monopolistic position held by the postal organizations until recently, present a very serious problem in the effort of liberalization of the postal services for the equal market competition. Leaving the monopolistic position, whether it is done gradually or in a short time, is a serious challenge for both the service providers and for the society in whole. On the other hand, in an attempt to preserve the civilization achievements in conducting the postal services, the determination of the so called universal services set was accepted. Universal services make the minimal set of the services which need to be ensured under the same conditions for all users on the whole territory of the state, regardless to the economic benefits. The universal services set is related to the ensuring of the prescribed quality standard in conducting of the domestic and international traffic. In such way, the goals generate the problem of financing of this set of services, i.e. the question of the method of ensuring them in the conditions of opening or open market. In the process of liberalization and de regulation of the postal market, the EU member countries have had various experiences and different pace. The directives of the European commission gave the basic guidelines and tasks, as well as the final timeline for ending of the whole process in all EU countries. As the candidate for EU membership, Croatia will have to put significant efforts in fulfilment of the given tasks related to liberalization and deregulation of the postal market, and will have to open its market of the postal services for the competition before entering EU. Until now, Croatia has already undertaken a part of the activities in the goal of opening the market, however, there are still many activities which need to be done. The consequences of opening of the postal market are already visible, and will be even more visible in the economic, cultural, political and other segments of the society, therefore the whole process should be undertaken in an responsible and transparent manner.

liberalization; postal service market; abolishing monopoly; EU

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